Hi, I need help as quickly as possible?

I have had an upper respiratory infection for about a month now. It seems to be just hanging on and on. In itself this is not a problem, but I am on oxygen 24/7 for some other medical problems that I have. I am also having a lot of sinus problems with this, and last week I started using a nasal spray to help me to keep my sinuses open. Suddenly, a few days ago, my nose started plugging up more often, causing me to use the spray more often. Since getting up this morning I found I had to use it every couple of hours to keep my nose clear enough to use my oxygen. It's worsened as the day progressed and then by 4:00 this afternoon I was down to about an hour. Since around 7:00 tonight I'm plugging up completely every 5-7 minutes, and this is now a real problem. When my nose plugs completely like it is, I don't get the air I need, and of course with my nose completely plugged, I can't get enough air in. I tried putting my tubing in my mouth, but that is not really working very well, and I find myself getting a little lightheaded. Does anyone know what I should do, other than going to the emergency room to tell them my nose is stuffed up? I knew that nasal spray can cause problems like this but was not aware it could happen this quickly or this seriously. I knew one person that did this, but they did not have the quickly worsening problem like I have. Thay said that they never had to use it every few minutes, and to quit just basically stopped using it, and within a few days, was better. I don't have that luxury. I don't use it, I can't breathe. I know I really screwed up, and now I really need help/answers. Does anyone know what I should do?

Added 22 Jul 2010:

Hi everyone, I made it through the night using the nasal spray every 5-10 minutes and having to spray each nostril several times before it works. I know I am not supposed to use it like that, but breathing is a necessity, and without that, I can't breathe very well, and my oxygen doesn't work because I can't get any air in through my nose. And I don't know what else to do. I couldn't find any eucalyptus oil, but just before I signed on here, I found some menthol drops. I put a few drops on a tissue (per instructions) and touched it to my upper lip, which upon breathing in, immediately unstuffed my nose!! At the same time, my upper lip started burning, and began to swell more and more, making me look a bit like a monkey! I had to wash it off right away, because my lip kept burning worse and swelling more. I did dilute it a little and tried again, and this time it didn't unstuff my nose and just swelled me up again. Obviously that particular remedy doesn't like me very much! I have had a few responses, and I am so appreciative that you cared enough about me to respond, but I am still in need of guidance; someone who can tell me what I can do to clear my nose without or in combination with the nasal spray. I need to back off of the spray, I know, but saline spray stuffs me up instantly; I've tried nasal decongestants, cold and flu pills, nyquil, Dayquil, benadryl, and vicks' and nothing works. I need to breathe. I know that the more I use the nasal spray, the worse it is going to get, but I can't get enough air in through my mouth and none through my nose, which leaves me a little short. My doctor is out of town and left no one on call, and I won't go out to the hospital. I'm not being stubborn, but our emergency room isn't the swiftest in the world, and they heavily frown on addicted people (and don't treat them very well) and I know they would consider mean addict, even though it is just nasal spray. You gotta use it, you're addicted, is their motto. Ok, now I'm rambling and I need to get this out so that I can find someone who might be able to tell me what to do. Thank you so much for the help so far. I am willing to try just about anything.........God bless................beanmarie

thank you so much stigerrr. I am going in a little while, to the site that you recommended. I am curious to see what a neti pot is, as well as hope I can get some relief. It was very thoughtfull of you and I appreciate your input so much. Thank you again... beanmarie

can you get a gp to visit? also do you have ucalyptus oil, if so and its 100% ton be safe dilute it just alittle and wipe it around your nose it opens up the air ways and congestion aswell as an antiimflamitory afect, but if your getting to the point were your light headed i would go to hosoital as you could pass out, and what will you do when its time to sleep, what i suggested will be good after you get this fixed by a doctor, sometimes when the crisis hits and especially when your struggling to breath you can get high anxiety about going to hospital or ringing a doctor but make the call andf ask, see what they say were behind you :), you havent screwed up people do this all the time in so many different ways , its ok you can do it my friend

Thank you cheersrichard, as usual, you give good advice. I just read your post and I do think I have some eucalyptus, but i'm going to need to find it. It sounds good though. I made it through the night by using the nasal spray every 5 or 10 minutes - not good, I know, but the only thing I could do to stay home. It is now 5:15am and I did not sleep last night. Every time I dozed off, my nose would stuff up again. It seems that laying down irritates it and I get worse than when I'm sitting up. It is a bit of a struggle, but I'm going to wait until 9:00 to call my pharmacist first. He may know how to counteract this. If not, I will talk to my doctor. You're right about the anxiety too. When my nose stuffs up completely like it has been, it scares me, cause I don't get enough air by trying to breathe through my mouth, and I feel like I'm being strangled. I know I need to keep the fear down, and am trying. I just can't wait untill 9:00.

Thank you so much sweetlemon for your advice. After using regular spray for a few days, I did try to switch over to saline, but my nose would immediately and completely stuff up; no air in, no air out. I used it several times, and it just kept stuffing up my nose so fast. I think all if this may have something to do with my having an upper respiratory infection (fancy name for a cold, isn't it?), and a separate respiratory problem as well. I will check into this as soon as the pharmacy opens this morning, and if they don't know what I should do, I will get to the Doctor. Again my thanks. You are a good friend and I value your advice... God bless... beanmarie

AN

Anonymous22 Jul 2010

Hi Beaniebaby,

You may try using a salt/water mix that you mixup on your own, you then tilt your head side-ways over a sink and flush your nasal cavity like people do to babies, this can help by flushing the gunk out and by also thinning the drainage.

My mother used to get Broncitus really often every winter and her Dr. would give her some antibiotics and a shot oof vitiman B12 and B6 to boost her system and help her get over it, she said that within 15 minutes of the shot she felt energized and so much better.

I hope this helps you and hope you get well soon!

James

P.S. I am not a Dr. and therefore I am not qualified to give medical advice, you should always seek the advice of a Dr. or Pharmisist before attemting to use anyones advice!

When I was a child I had asthma which required an inhaler so I can kinda relate to your breathing problems. I also had more or less the same problem with my nose. Had to use the spray that my Dad used. Considering that you are on oxygen if it was a weekend I would have showed up at the emergency room. I know that it can be expensive depending on what coverage you have but if you pass out from not getting enough oxygen then you may not make it to any health proffessional who could help you. If you cant sleep another nite even withthe eucalyptus oil then make haste to your health provider. If it wasn't for the oxygen I would think you could wait to see your regular Dr but with the oxygen I would head for the or call them, your local ER Sends chills down my spine remembering how it was not to be able to breathe, Best wishes B

Hi cheersrichard, I do not know of any doctor here who would make a house call unfortunately, or I would most certainly take your advice on that one. I have made it for 24 hours now, and am holding. I talked to my pharmacist this morning at length, and he had me get some "Good Neighbor Pharmacy" Nasal decongestant tablets. He said that the most important thing at this point is to see that my sinuses stay open without using the nasal sprays any more than absolutely necessary. The active ingredient in the tablets is pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mgs. I am taking two every 4-6 hours, and it is really helping quite a bit. I still get plugged up, but not as often, and not for as long as I was. I am still using the nasal spray, but have cut down about 50% of what I had been using. I am hoping that by tomorrow morning, I will be enough better that I won't have to spend any time in the emergency room.

My pharmacist told me not to mess around if it get's as bad as it did last night, but to hit the emergency room quickly. Thank you so much for your kind words too. I was feeling pretty bad about myself and you and the others who answered made me feel a lot better, and were all so helpful, and I want to say thank you to all of you. You are all the reasons that I feel I have found a home here at drugs.com. You are all worth your weight in gold!! And you know what, cheersrichard? I was feeling exactly like you said: "high anxiety" to the max, and didn't get calmed down until I read the posts you all sent me. I felt almost panicky when I couldn't catch my breath. I have never had a stuffy nose that "stuffy" before. It really gave me a scare. Well tonight I'm breathing a little easier, thanks to all of you. Your suggestions and compassion got me through this one. It's not over yet, but I have no doubt I will be fine soon. take care and God bless... beanmarie .

hi bnigoh, I wanted to thank you for sharing your experiences with asthma with me. You do truly understand the fear of not being able to breathe, I'm sure. It's awful, isn't it? I hope you don't still have the trouble you did then.. bnigoh, I want you and everyone else here to know how much I appreciate all of you. I have never felt more at home and at ease as I do with all of you. There is a collective wisdom here that is awesome, and you are all awesome people. I thank God for each and everyone of you; for your caring, for your compassion, for the vast knowledge that you share, but mostly for the acceptance and understanding you show to each and everyone here. I truly have found more real friends here that I trust, then I ever have on the "outside". God bless you all... beanmarie

cheersrichard, I am posting on your answer, but, I already commented on your answer, and there was no comment box for sweetlemon, so I just want to say to her that I did leave comments to all about how I'm doing, and thank you so very much for your concern and continued interest in how I am doing. You are a good friend, and I thank you very much, sweetlemon Though it is not resolved yet, I am much better. I will keep you all informed. I love all of you!!! Thank you... beanmarie

Thank you for your kind words jrpbox293. I have found help, both at home and here at drugs.com. My pharmacist recommended some things and I am feeling much better. And everyone here at drugs.com had wonderful, and caring ideas to help me. I have tried everything and all were helpful in their own ways. Combining what everyone here told me with what my pharmacist said, I feel I couldn't have gotten better care anywhere; especially with the compassion and years of accumulated learning and wisdom that I have here at my "second home". You are all great and I love you all very much!! Thank you. jrpbox293, I don't think I've seen your name here before, so if you are new to us, I would like to take a moment to welcome you. We are a diverse bunch, and we will grow on you quickly, I promise. You won't be sorry for becoming a part of our little community. If there is anyway we can help you, please just let us know.

We are all here to help each other; medically, emotionally, and spiritually. We share the part of our lives that are the most painful and most times, the part that we have a little bit of a hard time sharing with our loved ones at home (because we don't want to worry them, etc), and some of us don't have anyone to share with, so you will find that for whatever reason you have for being here, we will not let you down, and you will become a member of our family here at drugs.com. Thank you again for your concern ... beanmarie... P.S. If you are not new here, pardon me for having missed your name. I just have never seen it before, so assumed you were new (and you know what they say about assuming!! lol) If you have been here for awhile, I look forward to becoming your friend.

AN

Anonymous23 Jul 2010

beanmarie, so glad you posted to let us all know you are feeling better!!sweetlemon

Hi , For What It's Worth... I've been on Nasal Sprays for 20 - 30 Years. I've changed brands once. What i've been on for the last 15 or so years and it works great for me is... "Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride"! it's easy to get as it's an OTC. spray Sacosam

For what it's worth, sacosam? Are you kidding!!! You are a life saver!!! I just got this from you and my guy is already out the door to get it. If it works well on you, I'm sure it will on me too. I've tried everything else and I am just about at my wit's end. Thank you so much for your suggestion. I am doing a vicks and boiling water thing while I wait for the spray, so going to stop now and do that. Thank you , thank you, thank you!!! and God bless... beanmarie

Hi sacosam. look at me, I'm breathing!!! I got some nasal decongestant tablets from my pharmacist, and then I have the nasal spray you told me about, and a back up of 4way spray if I absolutely need it. I am so much better as far as my sinuses and breathing are concerned. The spray you told me about seems to be a gentle acting one. It is a little slower, but once it starts working, it is very good at shrinking the membranes, and I think that the 4way is what is causing me the problems. It works instantly, which is good, but within 5-10 minutes I have to use it again and my membranes swell up worse then anything I've tried so far. I took two tablets and 2 sprays of your spray at 11:00pm and I'm still clear two hours later. That is the first time in about a week or more that I have been breathing well without the 4way. Thank you so so so so much. I think I finally have a chance to get well.

A month of this upper respiratory thing is about a month too long, don't you think? So thank you, thank you, thank you!! God bless you and keep you my friend. I think i'll go to bed. I haven't slept much with this on me all the time, but somehow, I don't think I'm going to have much trouble tonight. And may I say at the same time, thank you ALL so very, very much for all of the help; the advice the encouraging words, the compassion and caring so many of you here have shown me in the past two days. I am truly blessed for having all of you in my life. I was feeling pretty bad and everyone pitched in and now I'm on the mend. And I want you all to know that I tried all of the suggestions and though some of them couldn't help me, it was good solid advise and I also got a bonus; the givers who helped me immensely by being there for me, and putting a helping hand out to me. I got something from each and every suggestion made to me; the people behind the suggestions. And I now have a book of collective knowledge; "beanmaries book of medical suggestions from friends and family at drugs.com."which has each of the suggestions written down, and I will keep it at my bedside table, and as I Iearn more from all of you, I will add to it. From what I've seen so far, each one of those suggestions (and the others I will gather over time) will prove invaluable to me as time goes forward, both to myself and to other's I can now pass them on to. Thank you all so much. And God bless you all... your friend... beanmarie

hi jrpbox293, thank you for both replies you made to my question. They were very informative and helpful. You don't have to be a professional in order to give information or make a suggestion. Life experiences give us wisdom and knowledge. That is not to say we should listen to only the non professional, but it gives us another perspective. There is always the necessity of seeking out doctors, but that doesn't mean we don't have good advise to give. The advise you gave me was very helpful. Today I am trying both the nasal decongestant and the allergy pills. I have taken one dose and it does seem to be helping. At least I am not plugging back up again, yet. I am writing down all of the suggestions given to me by everyone here, yours included. I tried the nasal "bath". It did a little bit, but not enough to let my oxygen through. That, of course is my first priority; breathing, followed by getting over this "creeping crud" I seem to have.

Any suggestions for that? lol. I just wanted to write back and say thank you, for offering help and support. I appreciate your (and everyones) suggestions as to how you did it. It gives me new ammo to fight with... God bless... beanmarie

Hi marie,One suggestion is to lay a wet cold wash cloth over your face, and if you can be off oxygen for a few Min. boiling water and Vick Rub together and breath vapors.You are right about using to much of the nasal spray, it can inflame your sinuses and cause permanently damage.You really need to contact Doctor if it does not calm downGod Bless ya Hon and be safeBucky 1

Thank you so much, bucky1, I will try that for sure. I am still not getting the relief I need, but it is a little better since my pharmacist set out those nasal decongestants for me. Unfortunately, I am still having to use the nasal spray to supplement the hours in between pill times. I don't want to but i don't know what else to do. I have to be able to breathe through my nose so my oxygen will be able to work. I can't be off of it for too long, but I'm ok enough to try the vicks thing. I definitely will do that, cause i'm really suffering here. Do you know of a way for me to kind of wean off of the nasal spray? I can't just stop because I really can't get one drop of air through my nose when it swells up like it does. And it swells like that within 5-10 minutes after the last time I use the spray. It's gotten so bad that I just am really feeling miserable. I can't really go to my doctor.

She's a nut on the "You are an addict" thing and she will completely cut my pain meds because of this, and I won't go to the hospital because they are exactly the same way. They think that everybody who comes into er there, is wanting pain meds and they treat me like crap, even though I've only been there a few times for pain reasons over the years. That's why I went to my pharmacist. The pills he gave me work pretty well for the 1st hour and a half or so, but then I need the spray in order to breathe until the next dose of pills is due (2 every 4-6 hrs). As far as the spray goes, he just said to not use it any more than absolutely necessary, which I don't, but that don't is only good for a matter of minutes, and then i'm all filled up and have to use it again, and again. I don't want to use the spray bucky, I really don't, but i just don't know what else to do. I have to be able to breathe through my nose so I can get my oxygen in. And also, it's a little scary not being able to breathe. I have never had my nose fill up so completely like this. It's unnerving, to say the least. If you or anyone can tell me how to get off the spray, please let me know. Thank you bucky for your advice and for listening. God bless you. He sent you to me I think... steffy

AN

Anonymous24 Jul 2010

Hi again marie.I know just hat your going through, I use to use a lot of nose spray at night.Every night I used it or nose would plug up. Are you having this problem at night or say and night? There are warnings on all nose spray.Bottom line is I had to have surgery on the honker.I also know about them Opioid Doc's, their jerks. There is a nose spray that you can get from a nose Doctor and I believe this is where you need to go. a Otolaryngologist, a ear nose throat specialist.Lay all your cards on the table as far as drugs and what, and why your doing what your doing.

I would also look foe a better Health Doctor. I have a great Doc. and she's a woman and a damm good Doc.You could even check with pain clinics, for names of good Doc.'s that understand you do not want to be on pain meds but you have to. Tell this up front to all Doctors. Do this first thing, when you talk to them. Making sure they know that your on them, only because you have to. Fight the hard fhight to proof your not a druggie.For the best hon and God loves youBucky 1

Hi bucky. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I've been sick with this upper respiratory thing, whatever it is, and I have have some other illnesses that complicate anything I come down with... I am still having problems with my nose too. My pharmacist suggested a certain nasal decongestant which has helped except that the directions are 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours and they wear off after about 2-3 hours. I am being very careful to wait for the 4 hour mark though. I don't need any more trouble with my nose than I have now. My nose plugs all the time; day and night. I had such severe blocking that I could not take in enough oxygen, so I am still using the nasal spray (the 4way is the only one that works. Any others stop me up worse), and I just use it in one side. The other side stays stopped up most of the time, but I figured that if I work on one side at a time, the other side will get over the nasal spray use and heal.

Then I can work on the other side. With the decongestant tabs, I seem to be getting a little better. I still have the respiratory infection, but, as with any virus, "this too shall pass", to coin a phrase. It's just the stopping up of my nose that bothers me the most. You said you had to have surgery on yours. What did they do? Was it because of the nasal spray, or was it a combination of infection and nasal spray... I live in a very small town with very big attitudes. Trying to find another doctor to help me is mostly a waste of time. All the doctors here go to the same church, are close friends, and have their parties together. They are completely connected, so any doctor I go to will see me out of the eyes of my doctor. I honestly don't know what is going on with her. She has been my doctor for over 10 years and we've never had a problem, even about medications. All of a sudden a few months ago, she started in on this thing about my pain meds, and she will not get off my back And all I take is Norco. And I never ask for extras or try to refill them too early, though I admit I have a problem with them. I've never asked for any new pain meds or anything, so I don't know what the deal is here at all, but it's certainly not a help now. I would go and talk to her if I thought it would do any good, but I know it won't, so I'm on my own, except for my "family" at drugs.com, and Our Lord God. You have been a tremendous help to me, bucky and I thank you so very much. I heard about your problem here and I am sad for you, but am also sad for them too, as they so obviously don't know or understand the power and the love of God. It is a sorry time when a company that brings people together to talk about their problems, are so afraid of our religious beliefs that they ban it from their site. It truly is their loss and I pray for them too; that they will open their hearts and their eyes and allow us the freedom to love and praise God for the things we do have and to share that love with others. I hope beyond hope that you will not leave us because of this. You are highly valued here, and we need you. We need the knowledge that you have come to share, we need the love you have to give, and you don't have to say anything about our Lord, to any of us, because we all know that you bring a heart filled with love for Him. I know you are going to be limited, but you can still sign off with Praise the Lord, or God bless you all, or He is with you, or things like that, but please don't allow them or some very narrowminded, frightened people, to chase you off. That would truly be a sad time for the many of us who treasure you. And if you leave, they win. Don't let that happen bucky, please don't let that happen. I don't want to see you go, and I know there are a great many who feel the same way. I always look forward to your posts. They are so filled with love and care. I want to thank you so very much for the help, love and friendship you have given me. Please let me know about your nasal surgery that you mentioned. I would like to avoid that outcome if I can. Take care bucky, and write me any time. I like to hear from you very much. Praise God for giving us the things we have, and for the strength he gives us to go on. God bless... beanmarie

I have a friend who had not as serious a problem as you (every few minutes) the more she used the more she needed and they got to where they did not work I think the honest answer to give you would be you need to talk with the doctor, your oxygen level comes into play various complications and I feel if I tell you otherwise I might not be helping but hurting and I want you to be the best you can